Rep. Clawson to Give Tea Party Response to SOTU Speech

Rep. Curt Clawson will give the tea party's response to President Barack Obama's State of the Union address on Tuesday.

Clawson, 55, a Florida congressman, will speak right after the Republican response given by Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst. Obama's speech is at 9 p.m. EST.

Taylor Budowich, executive director of the Tea Party Express, praised Clawson as one of many new members of Congress who are "brimming with ideas to make America economically stronger with opportunity for all to realize the American Dream."

He said Clawson was the group's first victory for the 2014 election cycle, adding that he represented a "new, conservative vision for America’s economic renewal.

"His response will highlight the importance of the Republican Party's efforts to branch out from the narrow walls of yesterday’s GOP," Budowich said in a statement. "He will articulate an inclusive message that focuses on providing economic liberty and individual opportunity for every American."

A former Purdue University basketball player, Clawson won a special election in June to succeed former Rep. Trey Radel, who resigned after pleading guilty to possessing cocaine. He was re-elected in November.

Budowich also praised GOP leaders for selecting Ernst, who was endorsed by the tea party during her successful election campaign last year.

"We applaud the GOP’s choice of profiling another fresh conservative leader that is committed to America’s restoration," he said.

The Tea Party Express first presented a response to Obama's in 2011, with former Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann. Former presidential candidate Herman Cain delivered the response the following year, with Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul and Utah Sen. Mike Lee doing so in subsequent years.

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